Alumni Tribute Award winners for 2012 named

From left are Tom Mills, Joshua Quinton, Lieut.-Gov. John Crosbie and Dr. Andrew Furey.

By Jennifer Batten

A medical professional helping to save lives in Haiti, a renowned and patriotic public figure, a selfless community leader and volunteer and an up-and-coming Wall Street success. These are the alumni that Memorial University will pay tribute to at the 31st annual Alumni Tribute Awards gala on Nov. 20.

Dr. Andrew Furey will receive the Alumnus of the Year award and John C. Crosbie will accept the J.D. Eaton Alumni Award for exceptional leadership and outstanding service to Memorial University. Tom Mills will receive the Alumni Award for Outstanding Community Service and Josh Quinton will be recognized with the Horizon Award for exceptional achievement under the age of 35.

The awards selection committee is made up of seven members, including Rex Gibbons and chair Brian King, Carol Sullivan, Margot Bruce O'Connell, Danielle Seward, George Tucker and Mary Lynn Granville.

"Once again this year, there were many exceptional Tribute Award nominees," said Brian King. "The 2012 winners are highly accomplished and community-focused individuals who have made significant contributions at local, national and global levels. I offer my sincere congratulations to these outstanding individuals."

Born and raised in St. John's, Dr. Andrew Furey is an orthopedic surgeon and assistant professor of surgery at Memorial where he completed his bachelor of science, medical doctorate, master of clinical epidemiology and orthopedic surgical residency. He completed a fellowship in orthopedic trauma at R Adams Cowley Shock Trauma Center in Baltimore, Maryland, before returning to Newfoundland to practise medicine.

Dr. Furey is the co-founder and president of Team Broken Earth, a volunteer task force supporting the relief effort in Haiti. Under Dr. Furey's leadership, Team Broken Earth has completed six successful missions to Haiti, providing care for more than 500 patients per week.

Dr. Furey has become well-known for his humanitarian effort and leadership through Team Broken Earth. The work of the organization has captured global attention and continues to gain momentum.

John C. Crosbie is Newfoundland and Labrador's current lieutenant-governor and former chancellor of Memorial University. One of the province's most notable political figures, Mr. Crosbie was first elected to the House of Assembly in 1966 and enjoyed a long career in public life until his retirement in 1994 after 28 years of public service. Mr. Crosbie practised law as counsel with Cox & Palmer of St. John's, and has received many honours, including Officer of the Order of Canada in 1998.

In 2008, Mr. Crosbie became chancellor of the Order of Newfoundland and Labrador and honorary chief of the Royal Newfoundland Constabulary and honorary colonel of the Royal Newfoundland Regiment. He is a renowned Newfoundlander and Labradorian and a dedicated and steadfast supporter of the province and Memorial University.

Tom Mills has had a tremendous impact on the lives of immigrants and new Canadians in Newfoundland and Labrador, and he has been an advocate for those fighting against adversity throughout his successful career as a family counsellor.

Mr. Mills obtained four degrees from Memorial during his career, all while working and raising a young family. Mr. Mills views learning as fulfilling and a lifelong concept, necessary to effectively serve people and serve the community. A longtime dedicated volunteer, Mr. Mills' commitment to helping others and serving his community has inspired all who've known and worked with him.

At just 28 years old, Josh Quinton is quickly moving up the ranks in the financial industry in New York City. Upon graduating from Memorial's bachelor of commerce program in 2007, he began his career in finance as a research analyst at CIBC Wood Gundy but soon after landed a position at Bloomberg in New York City. He has quickly moved up the ranks in the organization, and now leads a team covering pensions, hedge funds, central banks and money managers in the northeast United States and Canada.

Mr. Quinton remains committed to his alma mater. In 2011, when Memorial's Faculty of Business was constructing a state-of- the-art trading lab, he helped negotiate a donation from Bloomberg which included operating software and several pieces of trading floor equipment. Mr. Quinton also helped co-ordinate the training for students and faculty to ensure they were equipped with the right tools and knowledge to have the best hands-on experience possible. He is a strong advocate for Memorial and an exceptional role model for current and future students.

Mr. Quinton is an award-winning employee at Bloomberg who regularly consults with influential decision makers, providing clients a critical edge by connecting them to a dynamic network of information, people and ideas. He is an avid volunteer and mentor and serves on the Finance Committee of the Grenfell Association of America in New York.

"All four 2012 Alumni Tribute Award winners have accomplished a great deal and positively impacted many people and organizations in Newfoundland and Labrador and beyond," said Mr. Gibbons. "These are people who are making things happen and demonstrating incredible dedication to their community and to our province."

The 31st annual Alumni Tribute Awards ceremony will take place Tuesday, Nov. 20, at 6 p.m. at the Sheraton Hotel Newfoundland. To purchase tickets, visit www.munalum.ca or call 709-864-4354.